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TN makes doctor shopping a felony

August 7, 2007 — 6:59am ET
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medicaid fraud
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As every physician knows, there's a small but determined percentage of the population who will do whatever it takes to get their drug of choice--including seeing multiple doctors for the same condition or faking up conditions they don't have. Quite often, what they're looking for is narcotics.

Now, such behavior is a felony, at least if you're a TennCare enrollee in Tennessee. The state has enacted a law that makes it easier for TennCare to bring charges against patients that fraudulently obtain drugs. Patients can be charged if they willingly go to different providers with the intent to fool the physician, not mention a previous prescription for a controlled substance and have TennCare pay for the visit.

To learn more about the new law:
- read this piece from The Tennessean

Related Articles:
Tennessee educates MDs on drug-fraud law. Report
Doctor sues Conn. after Medicaid fraud allegation. Report
SPOTLIGHT: Watch out for Medicaid whistleblowers. Report
SPOTLIGHT: New York Medicaid program under fire. Report

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Comments

By Anonymous | Posted 11:20pm | July 29, 2008

I think more states should follow TN's recent change in "doctor shopping". People like that make it more difficult for those who truly have chronic pain or cancer pain. Plus how do these people pay for these drugs? In CA, all pharmacies keep track of patients and meds they are prescribed so I am assuming they are paying out of pocket for the illegal drug searches. And believe me, the heavy duty pain meds are very expensive, so they must be selling part of what they get from the doctor hopping, to keep their "fix" and as a former healthcare professional, find it disgusting people are allowed to go doctor shopping.

By Anonymous | Posted 8:18am | July 16, 2009

Stupid! Stupid typical Americans idiots for blaming the patient. BLAME THE DAMN PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES! Instead of the United States knocking on the patients door using BRUTE FORCE, why not knocking on a patients door and telling them sorry for getting you addicting. However, THE IDIOT PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES are willing to pay your 6 months treatment in rehab???? HOW DAMN DUMB IS THE UNITED STATES ???? People are victims to your heroin and meth.. OMG!

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